Surfboard Trends & Eco-friendly Options Gaining Popularity

Surfboard is an extended platform used in surfing. They were introduced in ancient Hawaii, where they were called as papa he’e nalu in Hawaiian language. During the early days of surfing in ancient Hawaii, it was considered as a deeply spiritual affair, right from the art of riding waves to praying for a good surf and rituals surrounding developing a surfboard.

Surfing was not just considered as a recreational activity, but a training exercise for Hawaiian chiefs and a method of handling conflicts. In the past, surfboards were made up of wood from local trees, mainly koa and used to be extremely heavy in weight. Over the years changes have taken place and now surfboards are considerably lighter in weight, having the capacity to support a person standing on them while riding an ocean wave.

In recent years, the sport of surfing in its amateur as well as professional forms, is a famous recreational activity along the coasts of Australia, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Zealand, California, South Africa, and Peru. Various surfing competitions are being held in different parts of the country and not just professionals but amateurs are also taking part in it. However, for surfing, due importance is given to selecting the right type of surfboard. Leading vendors are constantly adding innovation & new designs to cater to specific user expectations.

Selecting the Right Surfboard

In the overall surfboard market, safety is an essential aspect to be considered while selecting the right surfboard and technique. Surfboards are available in different sizes & types. Traditional boards that were first used in Hawaii are developed from wood, modern day surfboards are made up of polystyrene & carbon fiber. Hence, before purchasing a surfboard there are several factors to be considered.

One of them being the length of the board. Ideally, surfboard’s length has to be longer than a person’s height so that one can lie down on it to paddle through, when the waves are down. Moreover, bigger length is also helpful as it offers greater stability. Therefore, for beginners a longboard is the safest option.

Second essential parameter to be taken into account is the board’s width, which should be around nineteen inches. Length & width of the board, which is correct for an individual’s height & weight should be considered. Thickness is another important feature that has to be primarily considered, as it determines the board’s strength. Hence, it is recommended that a person buys a board that is at least two to three inches in thickness as it offers the required strength. But the board shouldn’t be too rigid, as it requires flexibility in order to withstand the impact of the waves. Safety should be the core aspect when purchasing a surfboard for the first time. Beginners should go for a long & broad surfboard, instead of opting for a sleek, thin, and short one.

Shortboards and Longboards Remain Highly Preferred Among Surfers

In recent years, surfers are showing inclination towards longboards for their superiority features such as noseriding and stability. Even though longboards incline towards the heavier side, surfing on longboards remains a trend among surfers globally. But, demand for shortboards is increasing owing to its advantages of greater maneuverability over longboards in competitive events. Considering these aspects in mind, manufacturers are introducing innovative designs of shortboards and longboards. In addition, over the years, several advancements have taken place including the introduction of one or more fins on bottom rear of the board to enhance directional stability, and several enhancements in shape & materials. Electric surfboards being one of the prime example. These surfboards allow surfers to enjoy the sport of surfing in the absence of waves.

Electric surfboard offers superior characteristics in terms of advanced torque & higher water propulsion providing surfers with better surfing experience as compared to traditional surfboards.

Demand for Eco-friendly Boards Making Waves in the Industry      

Sustainability in the surfboard industry is a hot topic surrounding the mind of all the vendors involved in surfing. In a bid to establish sustainability standards in the industry & cater to the ECOBOARD project’s criteria, manufacturers in surfboard industry are developing sustainable surfboards. For example, Australia’s leading surfboard provider, FireWire has taken a considerable shift towards launching eco-friendly surfboards. Additionally, FireWire has also substituted harmful polyurethane foam with an environmentally friendly alternative such as expanded polystyrene. One more pioneer in surfing industry, Channel Islands has also launched CI’s MINI, which is affordable but also sustainable boards. Launching of sustainable surfboards helps to decrease carbon footprint, renewable or up-cycled materials and utilize less harmful materials or methods during manufacturing.

Health Benefits of Surfing

Surfing is not just a recreation activity anymore, there are several physical & mental health benefits known in the surfing community. Surfing is an exceptional cardiovascular exercise, as the workout an individual gets through surfing helps to develop heart strength through paddling, balancing on the board, and working on core muscles.

In addition, surfing helps to eliminate stress as it requires extreme focus & concentration, boosting mindfulness, which helps an individual to develop an awareness of what is going on around. Surfing also aids in maintaining or improving balance, control, and coordination.